Day care for English-language speakers and families with infants focus of expansion east of Sudbury

Published by: CBC News
Author: Kate Rutherford
June 2, 2026

An expansion of licensed daycare east of Sudbury may help shorten the waitlist but is not expected to eliminate it. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada)

Families in communities east of Sudbury will have greater access to licensed English child day care by the end of the year, in an area where the existing daycare spots are offered mainly in French

A non-profit called Our Children, Our Future/Nos enfants, notre avenir, has announced a $3 million expansion that will create dozens of English spaces in the municipalities of Markstay-Warren and St.-Charles.

There are 151 licensed spaces, mostly in French, in the area, with a waiting list equal to that number.

The money is coming from the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund and will create 51 new spaces.

Lori Clarke is the director of integrated human services with the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board (DSB). She said there’s an urgent need for spots for infants who make up about half of the current wait list.

“Infant care includes children from birth until the age of 18 months, and often people are returning to employment after either 12 to 18 months postpartum,” she said. "And right now, there aren't any spaces in Sudbury east that are dedicated for that particular age group, which creates challenges for families looking to return to either education or work.”

In a news release, Our Children, Our Future/Nos enfants, notre avenir said it will renovate an existing municipal building in Markstay-Warren that will have 10 infant spaces, 10 toddler spaces and 16 preschool spaces.

"This project is an important investment in the future of our community," said Markstay-Warren mayor Steve Olsen. "Access to licensed child care is critical for attracting and retaining young families, supporting local employers and helping our community continue to grow."

As well, a new centre will be built adjacent to the St.-Charles Arena with space for 15 children.

This announcement follows an earlier announcement of 30 additional full-day spaces at Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon’s École St.-Thomas in Warren, divided equally between French and English children.

Clarke said there are 159 children on the current waitlist, and she hopes the addition of 81 spaces by the end of the year will help attract young families to the region.

The expansion is expected to create 25 jobs and recruitment is underway for early childhood educators as well as support staff, childcare assistants and cooks.

All of the new spaces are expected to be ready by the end of this year.